Insert type thermostatic expansion valve



June 23, 1953 F. Y. CARTER 2,542,724

INSERT TYPE THERIIOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVE Original Filed Feb. 18, 1946 2Sheets-Sheet l F IG. I

3 INVENTOR. BYW L v ATTORNEY June 23, 1953 4 F. Y. CARTER 2,642,724

INSERT TYPE THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVE Original Filed Feb. 18, 1946 2Sheets-Sheet 2 3 INVENTOR. W 7

ATTORNEY Patented June 23, 1953 INSERT TYPE THERMO VALV TATIC EXPANSIONE Franklyn Y. Carter, Dearborn, Mich., assignor to Detroit ControlsCorporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Continuation ofapplications Serial No. 648,222, February 18, 1946, and Serial No.657,747, March 28, 1946. This application July 20, 1949,

Serial No. 105,861

18 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in refrigeratingapparatus and more particularly to a thermostatic expansion valve foruse in the apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel valve structure inwhich the temperature responsive valve operating element is positionedin the valve casing for direct contact with the refrigerant suction linegases which pass through the valve casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve which can bepermanently sealed in the supply and discharge lines or pipes of anevaporator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve which may bedisassembled in the field without the necessity of breaking therefrigerating system conduit connections.

Another object is to provide a cartridge-like valve mechanism which isbodily removable as a unit from the valve casing.

Another object is to provide such a valve in which the valve mechanismincluding its thermostatic operating parts is a unit readily separablefrom the valve casing.

Another object is to provide a valve mechanism unit which may beadjusted'for valve operation in a master casing or fixture prior-to itsfinal assembly and use.

Other and further objects will appear from the following specification.

The invention consists in the improved construction and combination ofparts to be more fully set forth hereinafter and the novelty of whichwill be particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings to be taken as a part of this specificationthere are fully and clearly illustrated two preferred embodiments ofthis invention, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a refrigerating apparatus includingan insert type thermostatic expansion valve,

Fig. 2 is a detail view in end elevation of a fin type evaporatorforming part of the refrigerating apparatus and showing the expansionvalve of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view showing a part of the evaporator inelevation and showing the expansion valve and its insert mechanism inlongitudinal central section, and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a refrigerating apparatus showinganother form of insert type expansion valve connected to the refrigerantevaporator. I

Referring to'the drawings by characters of reference and moreparticularly to Figs. 1 to 3, the reference numeral I designates acompressor driven by an electric motor or the like 2 and dischargingthrough an outlet conduit 3 into a condenser 4 and thence into areceiver 5. A refrigerant liquid line or pipe 6 leads from the receiver5 and connects to the inlet fitting I of the thermostatic suction linetype expansion with the evaporator. The casing |3'is' of enlargedinternal diameter as at [4 to provide a suction line chamber Hi and isfurther enlarged as at l6 to provide a liquid supply chamber Thesechambers are separated by an internal annular shoulder 18 which facestoward the open end of the casing |3-concentric with the evaporatorportion l2 and closed by a circular or disk-shaped cover member H whichcarries the fitting l. The side wall of the casing portion I4 isprovided with an outlet fitting 20 which receives the suction lineconduit or p'pe 2| which leads to the inlet of the compressor The covermember l9 has a transverse passageway 22 therethrough withinthe tubularfitting 'l and a tubular portion or' extension 23 within the chamber H.The passageway 22 contains a valve seat member 24 which provides a valveport controlled by a valve member 25 carried by a thrust rod or stem 26which extends through the valve seat port. The tubular extension 23 isprovided with one or more ports 21 which open into the chamber Carriedby the extension 23 there is a partition member 28 having a tubularextension 29 with aninternal recess or counterbore at its free end toreceive and fit tightly upon the extension 23. The partition member 28has an aperture 30 therethrough concentric with the valve seat port andwith an aperture 3| through the end wall of the extension 23. The stem26 extends through the apertures 30 and 3|, the

clearance space around the stem being sealed by packing material 32within the tubular mem ber 29 and held in place by the end wall ofextension 23. The cover member I9 is tightly secured and sealed to alateral surrounding flange on the casing 3 by an annular gasket 33 andnuts and bolts 34. The liquid refrigerant supply chamber communicateswith the evaporator inlet through a restricted or calibrat ed port 35,through the casing side wall.

The partition member 28 seats on the annular shoulder I8 and hasinterposed therebetween sealing gasket 36 so that the chambers I5 and I!are sealed and closed from each other. Within the chamber I5thepartition member 28 has an annular flange 31 which is externally screwthreaded and concentric with the valve port. Adjustably screw threadedonto the flange 31 there is a cup-like supporting member (Behaving31-11111.- rality of flow ports 39 through its side wall so that thechamber I5 is in open communication with the interior of the flangeand;cap, member 38. The end wall of the member 38 carries a temperature andpressure responsive power element formed by an expansible-contractiblemetal bellows 40 having a movable; end; wall: or head M. The stem 26 isscrew threaded into or otherwise rigidly secured to the power elementhead 4I. Within the power element there is a; helical coil spring 42normally tending to expand the same andv normally tending to move thevalve member 25.. towardmpen; position and which determines, thepressure of: the refrigerant. medium on thewall 4L at whichthevalvemember 25 will engage, its seat member 24 for closing off flowthrough the passageway. 22.. The power element is provided with afilling tube. 42? which; is secured inand throughthe supporting member38 and through, which the interior. of. the bellows 40 ischargedlwith atemperatureresponsive liquid such as Freon.

The operation ofthe apparatus and expansion valve is as. follows:vBeforev the expansion. valve is permanently. and hermetically sealed tothe evaporator inlet portion I and the suction line conduit 2 I, themechanism cartridge is removed from; the casing; I 3"by undoing the nutsandbolts 34 and withdrawing the, mechanism. The; connections to theconduits, I0 .and 2 I- whichare pref:- erably by bra ing therefore d0.,not result in temperatureswhich might injure the temperature responsive;power element or. the sealing. gaskets 33 and; 3, 8, these of. coursebeing alsoremoved. The temperature.ofsoldering ori brazing the liquidline 0 tbfthefltting l due to its. remoteness from the power; element;is not. sufficient. to l injure; the

same. When'the valvemechanism has been reassembled and .thenutsandbolts34tightly pulled up" and. the apparatus charged with.refrigerant medium, then thecompressorl I may beplaced in operation forthe start 'of. a. refrigerating cycle.

The valve member; 2.5.gwill be in open position due totheexpandedpowerelement so that liquid refrigerant'medium will lflo wthrough the valve seat port-andfinto the'chamber I! but due to therestriction' 35 n will not fully expand inthe chamber I1. As thetemperature of the; coil'or evaporator. II decreases due to theexpansion of the refrigerant medium therein the temperature of the power elementlwhich is subjected to the suctionline refrigerant gas flowinginto the chamber; I; through .thelevaporator outlet portion l2 will haveits internal pressure decreased so that the pressure of thegasin chamberI 5.will act against thespring fltand throttle flowthrough the'valyeport; when the evaporatorll has been completely refrigerated suchthat the superheat temperature in the chamber I5 is say. f F., then thepressure of thvolatile liquid in the power. element will have decreasedsufliciently so that thefpressure in the chamber. I5 can just overcomethe spring 42 sufficiently so sea t;the valve member 25. The slightwarmingup of the evapr orator due toclosing of valve member 25 willincrease temperature of the-powerelement there- 4 by opening the valvemember 25 and accordingly valve member 25 will be throttled so as tokeep the evaporator completely refrigerated. When the temperature of thespace cooledby the evaporator or the suction line pressure ortemperature decreases to the desired point then the motor 2 will bestopped in any of the well known manners until the temperature increasesto the point where a new cycle of operation should commence.

In the form of the-invention shown in Fig. 4 there is a refrigerantcompressor IOI driven by a motor I02.which may be controlled in anyconventional manner. The outlet of the compressor isconnected by aconduit I03 to a condenser I04 which discharges into a receiver I05. Therefrigerant liquidline or conduit I06 extends from the receiver I05 andconnects to a tubular fitting I01 inwhich the conduit is hermeticallysealed. The fitting I01 forms the inlet of the expansion valve I08-which has; an outlet fitting. I08 connected by a conduit I I0hermetically sealed therein and leading to the-inletv of the evaporatorIII. The refrigerant suction line or conduit II2.: from the evaporatoroutletconnects and is hermetically sealed'in a tubular inlet fitting II3which opens into a su ction or, pressure chamber within the expansionvalvecasing. The outlet from this chamberis provided with a tubularoutlet. fitting; H4 in which is hermetically sealed one end of a suctionor return conduit II5.; having its other end connected to theinlet-of-the compressor IOI. The refrigerating system is charged as iswell-understood in the art with any suitable refrigerant medium such as.Freon. The valve I08 includes a cup-likecasing l IBwhich-is ofinternally stepped decreasing diameters from its. open end which isprovided with asurrounding annular flange Ill. The cylindrical endportion II8 of smallest diameter or cross. sectional area pro vides aninlet and valve chamber II9 from the side wall of w-hich thefittingI0'I. projects; Be-

tween thechambeif H8 and the.valve larger diameter outlet chamberI20,,the casing has anwall I29 seating onthe shoulder I24. A sealinggasket I30 of suitable packing material-sealsthe- J'oint againstcommunication between the outlet chamber I20 and-the pressure chamberI23.- The cup-like portion I28 has a recessed, rim or surrounding flangeI3I which fits and seats in the casingrecess uponthe: gasket I28,Surrounding the washer receiving recess, the flange: I I? has aplurality of circumferentially spaced bolt receiving apertures-intowhich clamping, bolts or screws I32;a re-screw threaded, and which passthrough alinedapertures in;.th e flange I 3 I to tightly clamp thehousing member-I2Ltoand within the casing I08, Projecting frcm theopposite faces of the bottom wallI28;concentric-with,the side wall ofthe cup-like; portion I 28, there is anexternal tubular extension I33and an alined internal; tubular,-

extension I34 having their bores in communication through a centralaperture in the wall I29. The external extension I33 has an end flange Iwhich has a lateral sliding fit with the guide portion I22 and whichtogether with the extension end face seats on the shoulder I2I with asealing gasket I36 of suitable packing material therebetween. It may benoted that when the bolts I32 are pulled up or tightened that thegaskets I26, I30 and I36 permit of manufacturing tolerances Whileproviding for sealing of the chambers II9, I20 and I 23 from each other.In the inlet chamber end of the external extension bore there is a valveseat member I31 with which a valve member I38 having a conical or needletype valve portion cooperates to throttle and control flow through thevalve seat member port. The valve member I38 is adj ustably screwthreaded upon a thrust rod or valve stem I 39 and is clamped in adjustedposition by a cap nut I40 which is screw threaded upon the end of thestem I39. Leakage through the bore of the valve member I38 around thestem I 39 is eliminated by a sealing gasket I4I clamped between thevalve member I38 and the nut I40. The valve member I38 is urged towardclosed position and in engagement with the seat member I31 by a helicalspring I42 which surrounds the stem I39 and is held under compressionbetween the outlet end of the seat member I31 and a flange I43 securedto the stem I39. The bore of the extension I33 communicates with theoutlet chamber I20 through a side wall aperture or port I 44. The stemI39 extends longitudinally through the bore of the internal extensionI34 and projects therefrom. Communication from the outlet chamber I20with the pressure chamber I 23 around the stem I39 is prevented bypacking material I45 which is held under compression against an annularflange I46 by a helical spring I41 which abuts a guide member I48 withinthe extension 634 and through which the stem I39 slidably passes. Theopening of the cup-like housing portion I28 is closed and sealed by ametal diaphragm I49 which is movable by pressure changes in the chamberI23. The diaphragm I49 also forms the pressure movable wall of athermostatic power element I50 having a cap or cover member I5I whichforms with the diaphragm an expansible chamber I52. The diaphragm I49 ishermetically sealed to the cap member I5I and to the flange I 3I by asolder seal as at I53. The chamber I52 is charged with a minute quantityof volatile liquid such as Freon or methyl chloride such that at temperatures above the operating temperature of the valve or system, thevolatile liquid will be all in gas phase as is well understood in theart.

The temperature at which the valve member I38 will be opened by thepower element I50 is determined by a helical coil spring I54 whichsurrounds the extension I34 and is held under compression between a pador pressure plate I55,

which abuts the diaphragm and adjustable spring supporting member I56which is screw threaded for longitudinal movement on the extension I34.The plate member I55 has a central conical recess I51 which receives andlocates the free end of the valve stem I39. The cup-like housing portionI28 has opposite apertures I51 through its side wall and registeringwith the fittings H3 and H4 so that refrigerant medium returning to thecompressor from the evaporator passes through the interior of thehousing cup-like portion I28.

metically sealed to the liquid and suction line conduits at the fittingsI01, I09, H3 and H4 and the valve mechanism unit has been adjusted in amaster casing or fixture by the desired tensioning of the spring I54 andadjustment of the valve member I38, the valve mechanism unit is insertedinto the casing I08 and clamped and sealed in position by the bolts orscrews I 32. When the motor I02 is placed in operation, reirigerantmedium will be discharged through the open valve into the evaporator IIIand as unevaporated refrigerant medium approaches the pressure chamberI23, the temperature of the refrigerant medium in the chamber I23 willdecrease. When the temperature and therefore the pressure in the powerelement I50 is thus reduced substantially to the operating range of thesystem, then the spring I54 will act to overcome the power element I50and move the valve member I38 toward closed position. When theevaporator I I I is completely refrigerated, the power element I50 willoperate in its normal manner as is well understood in the art, tothrottle the fiow of refrigerant medium to the evaporator to maintain itat maximum efiiciency.

Should it be desired to replace the valve mechanism unit, it is onlynecessary to pump'down the system and then remove the mechanism unit I21by unscrewing the bolts I32. A new unit can then be bolted in placewithout breaking the hermetically sealed tube connections.

It should be noted that the restriction 35 shown in Fig. 3 is equallyapplicable to the type of expansion valve shown and described in Fig. 4to prevent premature expansion of refrigerant and the resultingpossibility of freeze up of the valve. It should also be noted that ineither form of expansion valve shown the outlet restriction could beeliminated in which case the valve would function properly most of thetime but would be subject to occasional freeze up. The term freeze up asherein used refers to a. condition which occurs occasionally in suctionline type expansion valves wherein the premature expansion ofrefrigerant passing through the throttled valve opening results inexcessive cooling of the valve which causes the thermostatic powerelement to close the valve prematurely.

This application is a continuation ofmy 00- I pending applicationsSerial No. 648,222, .filed February 18, 1946, and Serial'No. 657,747,filed March 28, 1946. The latter application is now abandoned.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is:

1. An expansion valve comprising a casing having an open end portion, acover member for said open portion, a partition member dividing saideasing into a suction line chamber and a refrigerant supply chamber, avalve member for controlling admission of refrigerant to saidrefrigerant supply chamber, responsive means open to said suction linechamber and responsive to the temperature and pressure of therefrigerant passing therethrough, means operatively connecting saidresponsive means to said valve member and operable to move said valvemember upon movement of said responsive means, and said cover member,said partition member, said valve member, said responsive means, andsaid connecting means being operatively interconnected gamma:

as a unit for insertion or wlthdrawaliromsaid casing.

2'. An expansion valve comprising acasing haw ing' an open end portion,an insert assembly insertable through and closing-said. casing open- 5end portion, a partition carried by. saidi insert: assembly and dividingthespace-within said casing into a suction line chamber and arefrigerant supply chamber, sealing means cooperating-with: said insertassembly andsaid casingate point. between said chambers and preventingflow therebetween aroundsaid insert assembly; an-in-' let and an outletto said: suction-line chamber, an inlet and an outlet'tosaid refrigerantsupply chamber, a valveseat member having: a valve-- port between saidlast named inlet and outlet and carried by saidinsert assembly; a valvemember closing said port: and a valve-stem co-- operabl'e therewithcarried by said insert"assem-' bly, and temperature and pre'smre':responsive means carriedby saidinsert assembly and open to said suctionline chamber for response to re frigerant flowing: therethrougli,saidresponsive means being cooperablewith said valvestem forcontrollingmovement of said valve member.

3-. An expansion v'alvecomprisingacup-sh'aped' casing having a closedb'ase and anopen-end, an insert assembly insert'able through and closingsaid casing open end, said inserdassemblyliavingan intermediate portionccopcrame,w-im mewaus of said casing to seal and div-ide the sameinto asuction line chamber and a refrigerant supply chamber, an inlet and-'-an outlet to said suction line chamber, an-inletandanoutlet to saidr'efrigerant supply chamber; said-insert assembly carrying on one end a:responsive means open'to'- the suction line chamber -forresponsetopressureof refrigerant flowing; therethrough'; saidiinsertassemblyhaving at: its: other: end a passageway. and valveport interposedbetween the-inlet and 40 outlet-ofr'saidrefrigeranttsupply.chamber-for.con-'- trolling flow therebetween,a=valve member controlling flowthroughxsaid port; andiav'valve stemguided inand carriedabyi.saidzinsert-z assembly and; operated by saidresponsive-.means-.\,

4. An expansion valve"comprising acuprshapedcasing having aclosedbaseand an openend, an. insert assembly insertable through and closing:said casingopenend, said insertassembly having, a portioniormin'g'apartitiOi'l cooperablewith'the 5 walls ofsaidcasing toseala'nddivide'the same into a suction line chamber and'af refrigerantsupply chamber, an inletandanoutle't'to each of said chambers, saidinseit assembly having a small tubular projection" extending 'fromoneside of said partition portion and a larger tubular-pro jectionextendingfrom the other sldetliereofand a bore interconnectingsaidprojections; said small 1 projection extending into said refrigerantsupply chamber andbeingcommunicableatritssend'lwith the inlet tosaid-chamber-and having a side-wall. aperture open to saidchamberimconununicationz with the outlettherefrom; said-small projection-ihaving a valveseat portion,forming: aw va-lve;port-.

between the inlet and :outlet-:of said:refrigerant;

supply chamber, ag'vaive stem extendinggthrough' said projections; andrsaid== interconnecting; bore: and carrying on; oneenda avalvevmember;coopere able with and controlling. flowvthroughvsaid valve port; saidlarger projection; extending; into said 7 suction line chambers-andcarrying on its, end a. thermostatic power element,- Oneor-more passagesways opening: into thegspace withimsaidzlargeivz projection to ;p ermitflow ofr refrigerant there:

into for power-element:.response,=,and1said power 81 element acting onsaid valve stem to modulate the positionof said valve member in accordwith thetemperature and pressure of refrigerant in saidsuc'tion linechamber.

5. In a refrigerating apparatus, an evaporator having an outlet portionterminating in a valve casing having an open end and an internalshoulder concentric with said end, a partition member seating on saidshoulder and separating said casing internally into a suction linechamber and a refrigerant supply chamber, said casing havingan outletfrom said suction chamber and anoutlet from said supply chamberconnected to the-.inlet'of said evaporator, a cover member for said{casing open end and having a transverse passageway. therethroughopening into said supply chamber, said passageway having a valve port, avalve-member in said passageway for controlling flow. through said port,means in said suction chamber and responsive toipressure and temperatureof the refrigerant therein, said partition member having an aperturetherethrough, means extending through said aperture and operativelyconnecting said responsive means to said valve member, andmeans reducingvaporization of refrigerant in said supply chamber.

6. Ina refrigerating apparatus, an evaportor having; an outlet portionterminating in a valve casing having an open end and an internalshoulder concentric with said end, a partition member seating on saidshoulder and separating said casing internally into a suction linechamber-and a 'refrigerant supply chamber, said casing having an outletfrom said suction chamber and an'outlet from said supply chamberconnected to the inlet of said evaporator, a cover member for saidcasingopen end and having a transverse passageway therethrough opening intosaid supply chamber, said passageway having a valve port, a valve memberin said passageway for controlling flow through said port, saidpartition member having an aperture therethrough, anexpansibleecollapsible sealed casing having a movable Wall, meansrigidly securing said sealed casing to said partition member, meansextending through said aperture and operatively connecting said movablewall to said valve member, and means reducing vaporization ofrefrigerant in saidsupply chamber.

'71 An expansion valve, comprising a casing 0, having an open end and aninternal annular shoulder facing said end, a cover member for said openendand having an inlet passageway therethrough', a partition memberhaving an aperture therethrough and seating on said shoulder, said:partition member separating said casing into a suction linechamber anda refrigerant supply chamber, a valve member in said passageway,movablemeans in said suction line chamber and responsive to changes oftemperature and pressure in said suction line chamber, operating meansextending through said partition member aperturean'd. operativelyconnecting said movable meanstosaidvalve member, said casing havinganoutlet from said supply chamber and having an inlet to and an outletfrom said suction line chamber, and means restricting flow from saidsupply chamber outlet.

8-. Anexpansion valve, comprising a casingmember against said shoulder,said partition member separating said easing into a suction line chamberand a refrigerant supply chamber, a valve member in said passageway,movable means carried by said partition member within said suction linechamber and responsive to changes of temperature and pressure in saidsuction line chamber, operating means extending through said partitionmember aperture and operatively connecting said movable means to saidvalve member, said casing having an outlet from said supply chamber andhaving an inlet to and an outlet from said suction line chamber, andmeans restricting flow from said supply chamber outlet.

9. An expansion valve, comprising a casing having an open end and aninternal annular shoulder facing said end, a cover member sealing saidopen end, tubular means extending trans- 10. movementof said responsivemeans, means restricting flow of, refrigerant from said refrigerantsupply chamber thereby to reduce vaporization of refrigerant in saidrefrigerant supply chamber; and said covermember, said partition member,said valve member, said responsive means, and said connecting meansbeing operatively interconnected as a unit for insertion of withdrawalfromsaid casing. p

12. A thermostatic expansion valve, comprising a casing having an openend and having inlet and outlet chambers with an annular shoulderbetween them and having a suction line chamber with an inlet and anoutlet withan annular shoulder beverse to and projecting from oppositesides of said cover member, a partition member carried by and extendingradiallyfrom said tubular means and seating at its outer periphery onsaid annular shoulder, said partition member dividing said easing into arefrigerant supply chamber and a suction line chamber, said tubularmeans forming a valve chamber having an inlet and a valve seat and anoutlet into said supply chamber, said partltion member having anaperture therethrough in line with said valveseat and having an annularflange in said suction chamber and surrounding said aperture, a cup-likesupporting member carried by said flange, a fluid charged power elementresponsive to pressure and temperature changes in said suction chamberand mounted on and within said supporting member, said power elementhaving a movable Wall facing said aperture, a valve member cooperablewith said seat, an operating rod interconnecting said wall and saidvalve member, means sealing said aperture around said rod, said casinghaving an outlet from said supply chamber and having an inlet and anoutlet for said suction chamber, and means to restrict flow from saidsupply chamber outlet.

10. An expansion valve comprising a casing having an open end portion, acover member for said open end portion, a partition member dividing saidcasing into a suction line chamber and a refrigerant supply chamber, avalve member for controlling admission of refrigerant to'saidrefrigerant supply chamber, means in said suction line chamberresponsive, to the temperature and pressure of refrigerant passingtherethrough, means operatively connecting said responsive means to saidvalve member and operable to move said valve member upon movement ofsaid responsive means, means operable to reduce-vaporization ofrefrigerant in said refrigerant supply chamber; and said cover member,said partition member, said valve member, said'responsive means, andsaid connecting means being operatively interconnected as a unit forinsertion or Withdrawal from said casing.

11. An expansion valve comprising a casing having an open end portion, acover member for said open end portion, a partition member dividing saideasing into a suction line chamber and a refrigerant supply chamber, avalve member for controlling admission of refrigerant to saidrefrigerant supply chamber, responsive means open to saidsuction linechamber andresponsive to the temperature and pressure of refrigerantpassing therethrough, means operatively connecting said responsive meansto said valve member and operable to move said valve ,member'unon tweenit and said "chambers, a valve mechanism bodily removable from andinsertable into said casing and having a housing with an end portionseatable on said first-named shoulder to separate said inlet and outlet.chambers'said housing having a sidewall apertured cup like portionpositioned within said suction line chainber and having its baseseatable on said'secondnamed shoulder to separate said suction linechamber from said inlet and outlet chambers, said housing having an endflange seatable on the open end portion of said casing to close saidsuction line chamber, said housing having a passageway therethroughconnecting said inlet andoutlet chambers, a valve member carried bysaidhousing and operable to control flow through said passageway temperatureand pressureresponsive means having a pressureemovable wall closingtheopen end of said housing cup-like portion, said pressuremovableJwallbeing subjected to pressure in said suction line chamber through theapertured wall, andmeans operatively connecting said pressure-movablewall to said valve member. j v

13. A thermostatic expansion valve comprising a cup-likecasinghaving aplurality of differ ent internal diameters withannular shouldersther'ebetween separatingsaid casinginto anend inlet chamber, an,intermediate outlet chamber and an end pressure chamber. said casinghaving an inlet and an outlet for said pressure chamber, an inlet tosaid inlet chamber and an outlet from said outlet chamber, a flange, onsaid casing surrounding the open end of said pressure chamber, a housingmember having a cup-like portion extending through said pressure chamherand having a bottom wall seating on the shoulder betweensaid pressurechamber and said intermediate chamber, saidcup-like' portion having sidewall apertures'ior iflow therethrough via said pressure chamber'inle'tand outlet and having a flangeseating on 'saidcasing flange, saidhousing member having a tubular extension concentric; with andprojecting from said bottom wall, said extension having -a side wallaperture opening into said outlet chamberand having its free end seatingon the annular shoulder between said inlet'chamber and said intermediatechamber, a temperature responsive power elementhaving a movable wallclosingand sealing the open end of said cup-like portion, a valve memberin said inlet chamber and controlling flow through said extension, and athrust rod extending longitudinally through said tubular extension andoperatively connecting said movable wall to said valve member; s

14. A thermostatic expansion valve comprising a casing, a housing membertelescoped within said casing, said casing having an open end and aplurality of stepped internal cylindrical portions, an inlet chamberdefined by the smallinto ,a larger portion forming aguide, the wall ofsaid guide cooperating with said smallest portion to form an annularshoulder, an outlet chamber defined by the cylindricalportion nextlarger than said guide, a second guide defined by thecylindrical portionnextlarger than said outlet chamber and having ,its wall cooperable withsaid outlet chamber to form an annular shoulder, a pressure chamberadjacent the casing open end and defined by the ,largest of saidcylindrical portions, said housing member having a surrounding endflange seating on the open end portion of said casin said housing,member having a cylindrical cup-like portion slidably fitting saidsecond-named guide and withits bottomwall seating onsaid second-namedshoulderand separating said outlet chamber and said pressure chamber,said housing member having a tubular extensionwith a cylindrical por-,tion slidably fitting said first-named guide and with the cylindricalportion end face seating on saidflrst-named shoulder, athermostaticpower element having a pressure-movable wall-closing andsealing the open end of saidcupr-like .portion, said tubular extensionhaving an outlet aperture opening into said outletchamber,- avalve seatmember in the inlet chamber end of said tubular extension, a valvemember insaid inlet -chamberand-engageable with said seatmember,

a tubular extension alined with andv opening into said tubularextensionand projecting intoisaid .cupi-like portion from said bottom .wall, athrust rod extending longitudinally through said extensionsandoperatively connecting said ,valvememher to saidpressureemovablewallhmeans inone of said tubular extensions between said:outlet aperture and said cup-like portion and operable oolose off-flowaroundsaidthrustlrod, said casing having aninlet toan outlet from saidpressur chamber,.saidicup lilre portionhaving apertures through its sidewallalined with .said inlet and s ou and means resi tin operation ofsaid valve member byesaid thermostatic elem n 15. A valvemechanismwomprising a housing member having an externally cylindricalcup-like portion with opposite openings through its side wall and with arim flange, goppositely extending alined tubular. extensionsproj ectingfrom therend wall of said portion, saidend wall=havinganaperturetherethrough alined with the extension bores, the external one ofesaid-extensions .hav-

ing aside wall aperture, a valve seat mcmber in the bore of said oneextension, 2. valvememberext m of said housing member and engageablewith saidseat member, :adiaphragm closing and sealing the openendrof--said1cup-1likeportion,.a thrust ,rod secured to said valvemember and having operative engagement with said diaphragm, a flangeonsaid'thrust rod, 'a coil sprin surrounding said rod and interposedbetween said flange and said seat member and urgin said valve membertoward said seat member, a spring supporting member adjustably screwthreaded on the internal one of 'saidextensions, a helical springinterposed between said supporting -member and said diaphragm andopposing valve member opening movement by said diaphragm, andmeansclosing ,ofi flowfrom said extension bores into said cup-likeportion.

16. A valve insert assembly for a refrigeration expansion valvecomprising a larger and a smaller disc-shaped wall member, a tubularextension connecting the centers-of said well members, said betweensaidwallmemberaa valve seat member providing a valve portin said extensionadjacent saidlarger wallmember, an enlarged tubular extension on saidsmaller wall member, said lastnamed,extensionhavingan end closurecarrying a thermostatic power element, one or more passageways openinginto the space enclosed by said enlarged extension and end closure, avalve stem extending fromsaid power element through said first-namedextension and through said valve port, and a valve member carried bysaid stein andcooperable with said valve port.

,17. 7A valve mechanism comprising a housing member having anexternallycylindrical cup-like portion with opposite openings through its sidewall and with arim flange,eoppositely extending alined tubularextensions projecting from the end wall of said portion, said end wallhaving an aperture ,therethrough interconnecting the bores of saidtubular extensions, the external one of said extensions having a sidewall aperture, a valve seatmemberin thebore of said one extension, .avalve member external of said housin member andengageable with said seatmember, a

diaphragm closing and sealing the open end of said cup-like portion, avalve stem-guided in said extension bores ,andecarrying said valvemember at one end and arranged for operation by said diaphragm at theother end, a. spring supporting member adjustably screw threaded on theinternal one of said extensions, a helical spring interposed betweensaid supporting member and said diaphragm and opposing valve memberopening movement by said diaphragm, and means closingofi .fiowlfromsaidextension bores into said cup-.likeportion.

18. An expansion valve comprising a casing having an open endportion, acover member for said open portion, a partition member dividing saideasing .into .first and second chambers, a valve seatmember havinga-valveport for admission of refrigerant, a valve member for controllingflow of refrigerant through said valve port, a temperature and pressureresponsive single power elementcarried bysaid cover member and open tosaid second chamber for response to a condition of refrigerant therein,means operatively connecting said power element to said valve member forresponsive movement thereby; and, said cover member, said partitionmember, said valve member, said power element, and Said connecting.means being operatively interconnected as a unit for insertion orwithdrawal from said casing.

Y. CARTER.

References Cited in, the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date 1,180,108 Cash Apr. 18, 1916 1,719,073 Muflly July 2,1929 2,113,351 Lear Apr. 5, 1938 2,120,764 Newton June 14, 19332,182,718 Anderson et al Dec. 5, 1939 2,249,101 Wile July 15, 19412,318,721 Siver May 11, 1943 2,326,093 Carter Aug. 3, 1943 2,364,107Svirsky Dec. 5, 1944 2,475,556 Seligman July 5, 1%.) 2,539,062 DillmanJan. 23, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 324,957 Great BritainFeb. 7, 1930

